Zhurova of Russia wins women's Olympic 500-meter speedskating

Svetlana Zhurova of Russia, a 34-year-old mother and world sprint champion, won the gold medal in women's 500-meter speedskating Tuesday.

Photo: Zhurova of Russia wins women's Olympic 500-meter speedskating

Zhurova of Russia wins women's Olympic 500-meter speedskating

Zhurova skated a combined time of 1 minute, 16.57 seconds to give Russia its second speedskating medal of the Turin Games. Dmitry Dorofeyev earned silver in the men's 500 Monday.

Zhurova was matched with China's Wang Manli in the final pair. The Russian beat Wang to the finish line after 1 1-4 laps in 38.34. Wang was timed in 38.47.

Wang earned the silver in 1:16.78. Ren Hui of China took the bronze in 1:16.87.

Zhurova left speedskating to have a child in 2003. She returned to win the world sprint title last month.

The Americans were never in contention in a race won three times by Bonnie Blair.

Dutch star Marianne Timmer, a two-time gold medalist in longer events, was disqualified for a false start and left the oval in tears, reports AP.

O.Ch.